Statement on behalf of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the Open Debate of the Security Council on Sexual Violence in Conflict, delivered by Ms. Inese Freimane-Deksne, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia
15.04.2015
Madam President,
I have the
honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Latvia and Estonia. We would like
to thank you for organizing the debate on sexual violence in conflict. We
align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union.
We
also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual
Violence in Conflict Ms Zainab Bangura and the representative from civil
society Ms Hamsatu Allamin for their statements and their tireless work on this
complex and sensitive issue.
Madam President,
We welcome the comprehensive report
of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. It also addresses
very disturbing new challenges - sexual violence perpetrated in the context of
rising violent extremism. Sexual violence in the form of rape, sexual slavery,
forced marriage, forced pregnancy, torture, human trafficking, has been used by
terrorist groups, most notably by ISIL, as a tactic of spreading terror,
persecuting minorities, suppressing and forcibly displacing communities that
oppose their ideology. Women and children are deliberately targeted and their
rights are violated.
Latvia and Estonia strongly condemn all
forms of sexual violence and its use as a tactic of terror and persecution on
any grounds. We share the Secretary-General’s view in this regard that efforts
to prevent and address sexual violence should be closely and strategically
aligned with efforts to prevent violent extremism. The
empowerment of women and girls and the respect for their human rights, as well
as women’s full participation in decision making processes, including in
conflict prevention and resolution, are crucial for ending conflict-related
sexual violence.
Madam President, The effectiveness of efforts to
prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence is also undermined by underreporting,
impunity and a lack of necessary support to sexual violence survivors. More
coordinated efforts are needed to ensure that survivors of these crimes receive
comprehensive care and assistance, including access to sexual and reproductive
health services.
The international community has to
make sure that the culture of impunity for crimes of sexual violence in
conflict ends. Ensuring accountability of perpetrators of sexual violence
crimes, both State and non-State actors, is crucial for deterring and
ultimately eliminating sexual violence and for bringing justice to survivors.
While it is the primary responsibility of States to ensure the accountability,
the International Criminal Court has a central role to play in cases when States
lack the capability or political will to hold perpetrators accountable. Latvia
and Estonia are supporting victims of gender-based and sexual violence in
countries affected by armed conflict through the Trust Fund for Victims set up
by the ICC.
Madam President, This year is special for Women, Peace
and Security agenda as we mark the fifteenth anniversary of Security Council resolution
1325. Latvia and Estonia are looking forward to the High-Level Review of the
implementation of this resolution and have already provided national
contributions in this regard. Our governments have also endorsed the
Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in 2013 and supported
the Statement of Action at the Global Summit in London last year. Moreover, we
see the implementation of 1325 as an important element in our development
cooperation strategies. Latvia has implemented projects aimed at supporting and
promoting the role of women in Afghanistan, Iraq and Central Asia. Similarly,
Estonia has contributed to different projects and supports also financially the
UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Team of
Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Madam
President,
Too many individuals, families and communities have
been affected and devastated by conflict-related sexual violence. Preventing
and responding to sexual violence is vital to resolving conflicts, enabling
development and building sustainable peace. The international community has to
work together to respond to the urgency of this issue, and Latvia and Estonia
are ready to be an active part of those efforts.
I thank you.
 
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